Oscar Otter (I Can Read Book 1)

Book Description

0scar Otter builds his very own slide, far up in the mountains. No one can bother him there. Not even his family. But Oscar doesn't know he is in danger. His enemy, the fox, is watching. But what the fox doesn't know is that someone is watching him....

"Best of the Best" Books 1966-1978 (SLJ)
Children's Books of 1966 (Library of Congress)

Customer Reviews:

laughs and a cautionary tale.......2007-01-16

This was one of my daughter's favorite books when she was little, so I was delighted to find it still in print to buy for her children. Oscar Otter is a playful young fellow who is annoyed when a beaver gets in the way of his slide, so he decides to build the world's longest otter slide. In the process he sees new places and has an unexpected and thrilling adventure which teaches him a lesson. Young readers will enjoy the thrills and laughs generated by the text and the charming and amusing illustrations.

5 stars for my 5 year old.......2001-09-24

My son loves me to read this to him. It is one of the few books where he is enthralled and has a great smile - sortof like when he is watching other children play.

The story line is an child Otter that loves to slide down into the pond decides to venture into the mountains to make a really big, great slide and gets chased by a wolf - but keeps his wits about him. There are morals to the story, when the parent warns you of danger there is a reason; and be resourceful when faced with a challenge.

The State of California, Dept of Education, has this book on their reccomended "level 1" readers list. It deserves it.

Haunting images.......2001-08-27

This was a favorite book of mine as a child - the images have stayed with me all these years, especially Oscar trying to get home at night through the dark woods. I remember finding it a little scary, but maybe that's what made it so memorable.

Oscar Otto.......2000-04-14

Oscar being naughty, not listening, he built a slide up the hill, and he rode his slide down the hill, a fox, a bobcat,a moose and a wolf slide down the hill and got bumped into the log, then when he was done riding his slide he spoke to his father. then Oscar listened. it was a good book.

Average customer rating:

Great Book
Sea Otter Rescue

Sea Otter Rescue

Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 014056621X

Book Description

When the Exxon Valdez struck the rocks in Prince William Sound, Alaska, nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the water. The result was an oil slick which threatened all of the area wildlife, especially the sea otters. This is the story of the animal rescue experts who went to Alaska to lend a hand. Illustrated with the author's own photographs, Sea Otter Rescue is a fascinating first-hand account of the heroic measures taken to save the lives of hundreds of sea otters.

"Inspirational and sobering." --Kirkus Reviews

"Smith provides a fascinating look at the dedicated individuals improvising tools and techniques in a desperate attempt to help the otters." --Kirkus Reviews

* A Picture Puffin
* Full-color illustrations
* 64 pages
* Ages 7 up

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2002-04-08

I have to say that this is a great book that shows you the passion an author can have for what he or she is writing about(especially if the author explains his reasoning, feelings, and regrets about his book to you !*personally*!). Not to mention the information it gives you on otters and oils spills. It teaches you how bad it can be for a disaster of this monstrous preportion to occur and why you should do all in your power to stop it. It makes you sit there and wonder what you can do to help your environment!

Sea Otter Rescue.......2000-11-16

I thought "Sea Otter Rescue: The Aftermath of an Oil Spill" was a wonderful book with universal appeal. The photographs taken by the author Roland Smith were heartwarming and sometimes disturbing. "Sea Otter Rescue" is the story of the Exxon Valdez accident in Prince William Sound in Alaska and the superhuman effort to save the lives of the sea otters affected by the oil. The author, Roland Smith, was among the volunteers who rushed to Alaska to try to save these sweet animals. This is his story and the story of the others who took part in this effort. Great humanitarian story.

Samaki: The Story of an Otter in Africa: A True-to-Life Novel

Average customer rating:

Excellent fact-based fiction, for adults or children.

Samaki: The Story of an Otter in Africa: A True-to-Life Novel
Joseph A. Davis
Manufacturer: Dutton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Customer Reviews:

Excellent fact-based fiction, for adults or children........1997-10-13

Mr. Davis wrote a very touching account of the early life of a wild African Spot-Necked otter, based on the behavior of the species as he studied it in captivity over many years. Although written as fiction, the behaviors presented are very true to the actual animal, and only the specific details of Samaki's life and thoughts are really fictional. The text of some of the mating behavior described in the book may be unsuitable for smaller children, but it is very tasteful and not graphic, just explicit. The level of detail with which Mr. Davis described the behavior of Samaki and the other otters is truly astounding, and aside from being an enjoyable read, the book is about as educational as any non-fiction work written about otters.

Otter on His Own: The Story of a Sea Otter (Smithsonian Oceanic Collection/Boxed Book and Cassette)

Average customer rating:

I don't have time to write reviews but...
Terrible
A scientifically accurate, highly enjoyable tale

Otter on His Own: The Story of a Sea Otter (Smithsonian Oceanic Collection/Boxed Book and Cassette)
Doe Boyle
Manufacturer: Soundprints
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1568991339

Customer Reviews:

I don't have time to write reviews but..........2004-08-12

I just had to say, in case anyone is looking for science books which can both entertain and inform their young children, this title is a delight! The illustrations are endearing, but the text is what stands out in the book, for--unlike most children's "science" twaddle out there--it is truly lyrical. Children don't need short, choppy sentences which merely regurgitate bland facts in a shotgun approach to "teaching" or "informing". That kind of writing certainly doesn't make for interesting reading! My young reader was delighted with the tale of young Otter, my 2-year-old equally enthralled. I know a book is a keeper when I am asked to read it again immediately.

This book has both literary and scientific merit. A rare find in my search for homeschool materials that can impart knowledge, love for learning and the enjoyment of reading quality prose, all in one appealing package. Not sure as I type this what age is recommended, but my son is currently about halfway through first grade level reading and will be able to tackle this by himself within a year at most. A child up to age 8 would be delighted by this book.

Terrible.......2003-04-11

This book is laborious, overwritten and poor quality. It is as if the author is trying to demonstrate how many words one can fit into a sentence. For insight into Otters, at a child's reading level, choose a different book.

A scientifically accurate, highly enjoyable tale.......2002-07-14

Otter On His Own: The Story Of A Sea Otter is a children's story by Doe Boyle about a young otter growing up in the natural world. From learning how to eat sea urchins to exploring the underwater cove near where he was born and the world beyond, Otter On His Own is a scientifically accurate, highly enjoyable tale. Simple yet inspiring color illustrations by Robert Lawson add depth to the watery world of the otter pup.

The Otter Spirit: A National History Story

Average customer rating:

Spiritual Otters
Otter's Essence
A NEW APPRECIATION FOR NATURE!

The Otter Spirit: A National History Story
Judith K. Berg
Manufacturer: Ulyssian Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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Product Description

NATURE / ANIMALS / SPIRITUALITY. This is a natural history story of the life of a river otter and the autobiographical complement of the otters researcher. Their unique journey through life transcends two worlds: the real and the spiritual. Travel with them through seasons and years as they discover many remarkable mysteries of the natural world, evoking wonder at its beauty and diversity.

The story of "The Otter Spirit" is based on true accounts of observations the researcher recorded firsthand, and on imagined events that very credibly could be observed, based on reports documented in the referenced literature. The dialogue and expression of feelings among the otters and other animals in this book are admitted anthropomorphic interpretations of events told in the story. However, facts articulated in the book are real and substantiated by direct measurement by the researcher or authenticated in the references.

Hope prevails that, through the tale of the Otter Spirit, a genuine appreciation of these marvelous animals and the environment they call home will be conferred to the reader. For some, a greater passion will drive them to research the literature and, perhaps, go beyond, to find their own Otter Spirit on a river, in a forest, on a mountain yet to be explored and personally realize the sacred gifts that Nature offers those who take the time to hear the Ancient Voices.

Includes 27 photos/illustrations and index.

Customer Reviews:

Spiritual Otters.......2006-02-15

Under the assumption that this book would actually tell me something about river otters, I purchased it. In a condescending and prolix style, the author describes her spiritual journey into Native American beliefs using otters as a vehicle for her exploration.

It would be a perfectly lovely gift for a bright child interested in a holistic approach to nature and the world around us.

Otter's Essence.......2005-07-07

Did you know over 350,000 animal hairs could fit into one square inch? The Otter Spirit will entertain you with facts and fun relating to the playful spirit of a serious wildlife researcher's adventures in the wilds. Berg's original poetry sprinkled throughout the book distills Nature's cycles into an essence of life's personal and universal journeys. The Otter Spirit opens pathways to our own explorations within ourselves and Nature. Read and enjoy!

A NEW APPRECIATION FOR NATURE!.......2005-06-12

WHILE OTTERS MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN MY FIRST CHOICE FOR READING MATERIAL, I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT ONCE I GOT INTO THE STORY I WAS FASCINATED. IT CERTAINLY OPENED MY EYES TO THE WONDERS OF MOTHER NATURE'S WORLD. ALSO, I AM PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED WITH THE PERSEVERANCE AND DEDICATION OF THE AUTHOR, WHO SACRIFICED 12 YEARS OF HER LIFE WORKING ON THE PROJECT. "OTTER'S" IS JUST A CLASSY AND PROFESSIONALLY WRITTEN BOOK, WHICH ENTERTAINS AS WELL AS EDUCATES. I CAN WHOLEHEARTEDLY RECOMMEND IT TO BOTH "NATURE LOVERS" AND "COUCH POTATOES".

TARKA THE OTTER (Concord Library Series)

Average customer rating:

An overlooked masterpiece
The Greatest Animal Story Ever Written.
A wonderfully written story.
Tarka the Otter is descriptive, realistic, & in places, sad.
Wonderful book

TARKA THE OTTER (Concord Library Series)
Henry Williamson
Manufacturer: Beacon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Nature Writing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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The Ring of Bright Water Trilogy

ASIN: 0807085073

Customer Reviews:

An overlooked masterpiece.......2005-02-08

Most classics enjoy a broad audience, and maintain their popularity through the years because they are so fantastic. Other classics are no less fantastic, but for some reason never attained the iconic status that they deserve. This is that kind of classic, a quiet classic which is little-known, but still has that special ability to impact those who read it.

This book tells the life story of Tarka the Otter, who is born in the Devon countryside and faces the struggles that all otters must endure as they grow up, mate, and grow old. Tarka is the main character of the book, but the author refuses to anthropomorphize him, instead bringing us into an utterly realistic world of life, death, joy and loss, without pretending that otters can actually speak in anything approximating a human language.

I've read other books that purport to show us the life of an animal in this way, but none of them bear the richness of detail and the feeling of authenticity that come with this novel. The author has such an intimate understanding of the particulars of Tarka's life that we are drawn into his world with a stunning immediacy. Every feature of the land is known from the ground up; every bend in the creek is lovingly described. The way that the land and the various organisms that populate it interact creates a breathtaking tapestry of life that puts most other nature writers to shame.

The language, particularly the language used to describe the natural settings, is rich and exotic, making us appreciate the wonders of an unremarkable countryside setting in a new way. No matter how well read you are, this book will throw new words at you, and enrich your vocabulary. Turning to a random page, I see references to "a sandy rabbit-bury," the "slot of deer," an "old dismated ketch," and "the frore air." What a wealth of words, and yet the unfamiliarity doesn't prevent us from enjoying every poetic sentence.

If you like to read about animals or appreciate nature, this is a book that will speak to you more profoundly and more eloquently than Thoreau, and which will allow you to appreciate the wonders of nature even moreso than the books of Bernd Heinrich.

If you devote a little time to reading this book, you'll be rewarded out of all proportion to your investment.

The Greatest Animal Story Ever Written........2000-08-01

My mom bought me this book when I was ten I immediately thought it was going to be a good book as it had a charming front cover showing an innocent looking otter. Tarka is a sweet young otter and the book is like his life story in a way his life is like a human's . He is born ,he grows up,he loves he loses and he dies. The discription of him and his surroundings create a vivid picture in the readers mind. It really is a charming story and I would recommend this to anyone who loves animals and/or reading.

A wonderfully written story........1998-12-17

I really loved this book. It really did a wonderful job of showing how joyful Tarka's life was, and how, even when he was hunted, his life was still joyful. I highly recommend this book!

Tarka the Otter is descriptive, realistic, & in places, sad........1997-10-04

Tarka the Otter is written very descriptively, from an otter's point of view. It's similar to Watership Down, but Tarka's thought is much less anthropomorphized than that of the characters in Watership Down. You'll find this book quite sad in places, perhaps even upsettingly so, because of the realistic (and unfair) interactions Tarka and others have with English hunters and their dogs a few times (such is life). If you cried at the end of Where the Red Fern Grows, beware. If you are unfamiliar with the endearing antics of members of the weasel family, you are in for an educational and fun treat. Perhaps you'll run out and get a ferret after this.

Wonderful book.......1997-01-31

This book is quite possibly the best novel about nature ever written. It's gorgeous and epic, not a kid's book by any means. This was T.E. Lawrence's favorite book, by the way, and there is more wonder, beauty, and realism in any one paragraph than in most books you'll ever see

Lootas, Little Wave Eater: An Orphaned Sea Otter's Story

Average customer rating:

Lootas is Highly Acclaimed by Smithsonian Magazine
We love lootas
Fun reading and great illustrations.

Lootas, Little Wave Eater: An Orphaned Sea Otter's Story
Clare Hodgson Meeker
Manufacturer: Sasquatch Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1570611645

Book Description

An engaging, true-life account of an Alaskan sea otter pups rescue and adoption by the Seattle Aquarium.

Lootas, Little Wave Eater tells the story of a four-week-old orphaned sea otter that was adopted by the Seattle Aquarium. Color photographs throughout the book show how human handlers raised Lootas, then introduced her to other otters, and finally weaned her from constant human contact. Author Clare Meeker followed the story and worked closely with C. J. Casson, who was in charge of Lootass care. Additional illustrations help educate young readers about sea otter habitat, food, anatomy, predators, and more. Royalties from sales of this book benefit the Seattle Aquariums Sea Otter Program.

Customer Reviews:

Lootas is Highly Acclaimed by Smithsonian Magazine.......2000-02-22

Lootas was selected as a 1999 Notable Books for Children by Smithsonian Magazine! It also received a great review in School Library Journal. And no wonder. This book engages the reader at all levels: it's a wonderful story, and filled with great factual information. A "must-have" in home and school!

We love lootas.......1999-12-01

Delightful! Entertaining and Educational

Fun reading and great illustrations........1999-09-10

Did you know that the illustrator who did the art for Lootas also did the art for People of Salmon and Cedar. My kids loved the pictures in this books and liked the fact that they knew this otter personally.

Average customer rating:

Very strong factual depictions
Saving Sea Otters

Saving Sea Otters, Stories of Survival
Elin Kelsey , and Doc White
Manufacturer: Monterey Bay Aquarium Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1878244272

Book Description

A sea otter pup lies curled up in a kelp frond, bobbing in gentle swells while its mother dives for food. Without its mother, this pup would not survive. The compelling photos and compassioante stories that fill these pages will show how the staff of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program pioneer effective ways to rear sea otters for life in the wild.

Customer Reviews:

Very strong factual depictions.......2001-02-08

I enjoyed this book for its factual & positive content regarding sea otters. If you are a lover of sea otter, Saving Sea Otters is probably a must. It's not fiction. It's not a compelling story per say, in terms of pure storytelling, but I found it very compelling to understand otters and the people who care for them. The photos are excellent. I'm glad I bought it but then again, I am an otter nut.

Saving Sea Otters.......2000-05-21

"Saving Sea Otters" by Elin kelsey is a book dealing mainly with the plight of the southern sea otter and its dwindling population. The cover shows a furry little sea otter wrapped in a kelp bed.The book shows the behind-the-scenes work that researchers, scientists, veterinarians, volunteers and friends of the sea otter do. There are wonderful,clear pictures throughout the book showing the interaction between the sea otters and the people who care for them. Many times the sea otters are hurt, injured or unable to care for themselves and that's when the caretakers step in to nurse them back to health. Most of the book takes place in the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and the waters of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. If one is interested in sea otters, I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you...Don Bieber

Average customer rating:

The Life Story Of An Otter
J. C. Tregarthen
Manufacturer: Cornwall Editions Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1904880061

The River: A Love Story, a New Life in the Country, and One Idyllic Year Filming Otters

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The River: A Love Story, a New Life in the Country, and One Idyllic Year Filming Otters
Philippa Forrester
Manufacturer: Orion Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

When Philippa Forrester and her partner, wildlife photographer Charlie Hamilton James, decide to get out of the rat race and set up home in an old mill-worker's cottage on a river in the heart of Worcestershire, they get considerably more than they bargained for. Populated by otters, kingfishers, and water fowl, the river is teeming with life and the young couple soon fall in love with it. But it is the otters that really capture the couple's imagination, and they soon become absorbed in researching and filming this timid and endangered species. The River is the utterly captivating and personal story of their attempts to get a commission for and make a film about the families of otters, while at the same time having a baby, moving house, and pursuing their careers. Written with endless charm and real affection, featuring a cast of memorable characters, The River is packed with hilarious stories spanning floods, chicken-keeping, and wildlife-watching.

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